Walls

Portrait of Constantine P. Cavafy
Constantine P. Cavafy 1863–1933

Without consideration, without pity, without shame they have built great and high walls around me.

And now I sit here and despair. I think of nothing else: this fate gnaws at my mind;

for I had many things to do outside. Ah why did I not pay attention when they were building the walls.

But I never heard any noise or sound of builders. Imperceptibly they shut me from the outside world.

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